Vision

Message from the Director

Ragtime made its debut in Toronto (before a two-year Broadway run) twenty-six years ago. This musical has never been produced in Calgary, until now! Through the genius of Stephen Flaherty (music), Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), Terrence McNally (libretto), and E.L. Doctorow (original novel), a classic story has found its living voice in the artform we know as the musical. And what a way to experience a musical like Ragtime in this glorious concert production that is making its world premiere in Calgary.

Ragtime is set in and around New York City in 1902. The story grapples with the issue of conflicting philosophies: the independent spirit of the immigrant versus those of an older American family. On March 31, 1889, eleven years prior to the turn of the century, a major architectural event which signalled to the world what was to come, was erected in Paris –the Eiffel Tower. Its crude design marred the delicate rooflines of Paris, challenging Parisians’ sensibility of what was considered beautiful. The tower was designed so its inner steel structure was visible. It was exposed, naked. Everyone could see its wheels turn. The closed mentality of the Victorian reign was slowly beginning to deteriorate. It was a new age, a time of vast change, and the Eiffel Tower was an indication that a new drumbeat was being played that was going to send a century spinning.

Back in America, a new music was born called ragtime, which was made popular by the composer Scott Joplin. Ragtime was a style of music containing a highly syncopated treble lead over a rhythmically steady bass. It emerged in its published form during the mid-1890s and quickly spread across the continent like wildfire. Caught up in this cyclone of change are three families who find connections within this time of rebirth. Through the interweaving journeys of an African American family, a recently arrived Eastern European Jewish father and daughter, and a White AngloSaxon Protestant family steeped in deteriorating Victorianism, Ragtime illuminates how these traditional families are torn apart by their everchanging world, while being healed by the music of ragtime.

The magical and seductive elements of this musical are going to fill the majestic Jack Singer Concert Hall and your souls. How, you ask? Because this concert production of Ragtime is being told with only the essential ingredients: an ensemble of performers, a divine orchestra, and a compelling story that remains timeless and relevant.

Thank you for joining us at this special presentation of one of the greatest musicals, I believe, that has ever been written.

Stafford Arima Artistic Director, Theatre Calgary

Cultural vibrancy. We didn’t come up with the plot twists. Or write the musical score that sends hearts soaring. But as a proud sponsor of Ragtime: A Concert Performance, we did put our energy into championing the arts in Alberta. When the energy you invest in life meets the energy we fuel it with, expression, magic and community-building happen.

Building to New Heights

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation was established in 1984 with one guiding vision: to create a sustainable and secure financial future for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Generations of Calgarians have since rallied behind this vision to make the Foundation the largest annual funder of our Orchestra, exceeding all levels of government support.

The Ad Astra Campaign builds on this legacy of local, community-driven support so that future generations of Calgarians also enjoy inspiring and accessible musical experiences. Today, the Calgary Phil attracts 66 talented musicians from around the world to our city. Not only do these musicians regularly share their exceptional talents in Calgary’s world-class concert halls and live music venues, but they also become important music educators, artistic collaborators, volunteers, and neighbours in our community.

Your donation to the Ad Astra Campaign is more than a donation to the Calgary Phil’s future — it is also an investment in Calgary’s social and cultural infrastructure. If you would like to discuss making a gift to the Ad Astra Campaign in more detail, please email Jim Campbell at jcampbell@calgaryphil.com. calgaryphil.com/AdAstra

RAGTIME .............................................................................................................. Full Company

GOODBYE, MY LOVE ..................................................................................................... Mother

JOURNEY ON ......................................................................................... Father, Tateh, Mother

THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY .......Evelyn Nesbit, Mother’s Younger Brother, Ensemble

WHAT KIND OF WOMAN .............................................................................................. Mother

A SHTETL IZ AMEREKE (ELLIS ISLAND) ....................... Tateh, The Little Girl, Immigrants

SUCCESS Tateh, The Little Girl, J.P. Morgan, Harry Houdini, Ensemble

HIS NAME WAS COALHOUSE WALKER ........................ Coalhouse Walker Jr., Ensemble

DEFINITION OF RAG / THE GETTIN’ READY RAG ......... Coalhouse Walker Jr., Ensemble

HENRY FORD Henry Ford, Coalhouse Walker Jr., Ensemble

NOTHING LIKE THE CITY ............................... Tateh, Mother, The Little Boy, The Little Girl

YOUR DADDY’S SON ........................................................................................................ Sarah

NEW MUSIC . Father, Mother, Younger Brother, Sarah, Coalhouse Walker Jr., Ensemble

THE WHEELS OF A DREAM......................................................Coalhouse Walker Jr., Sarah

Act I Act Ii

THE NIGHT THAT GOLDMAN SPOKE AT UNION SQUARE .... Mother’s Younger Brother, Emma Goldman, Ensemble

GLIDING Tateh

THE TRASHING OF THE CAR / PRESIDENT ................................................................. Sarah

TILL WE REACH THAT DAY..................................................... Sarah’s Friend, Full Company

COALHOUSE’S SOLILOQUY Coalhouse Walker Jr.

WHAT A GAME! .................................................................. Father, The Little Boy, Ensemble

BUFFALO NICKEL PHOTOPLAY, INC ............................................ Baron Ashkenazy (Tateh)

OUR CHILDREN Mother, Baron Ashkenazy (Tateh)

SARAH BROWN EYES ...............................................................Coalhouse Walker Jr., Sarah

HE WANTED TO SAY ...................................................... Emma Goldman, Younger Brother, Coalhouse Walker Jr., Coalhouse’s Men

BACK TO BEFORE ....................................................................................... Mother, Ensemble

MAKE THEM HEAR YOU........................................................................ Coalhouse Walker Jr.

EPILOGUE: RAGTIME .......................................................................................... Full Company

RAGTIME: A Concert Performance